1 2026:CGHC:2212 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 479 of 2026 1. Deepak Patel S/o Ramkumar Patel Aged About 23 Years R/o Jagriti Nagar, Khamtarai, P.S. Kamtarai, Tehsil And Distt. Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 2. Vasu Patel S/o Ramkumar Patel Aged About 21 Years R/o Jagriti Nagar, Khamtarai, P.S. Kamtarai, Tehsil And Distt. Raipur, Chhattisgarh. ... Applicants versus State of Chhattisgarh Through P.S. Civil Line, Distt. Raipur, Chhattisgarh. ... Non-applicant For Applicants : Mr. Priyanshu Gupta, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Mr. Dharmesh Shrivastava, Deputy Advocate General. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 14.01.2026 1. The applicants have preferred this First Bail Application under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail, as they have been arrested in connection with Crime No. 44/2025, registered at Police Station : Civil Line, Raipur, District- Raipur (C.G.) for the o昀昀ence punishable under Sections 317(2), 317(4), 317(5), 111 and 3(5) of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2. As per the prosecution story, on 20.01.2025, through the coordination ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Digitally signed by ABHISHEK SHRIVAS Date: 2026.01.16 12:14:01 +0530 2 portal operated by the Ministry of Home A昀昀airs, Government of India, an application was received from the Range Cyber Police Station, Raipur, for taking action against various mule account holders. Upon 昀椀nding that o昀昀ences under Sections 317(2), 317(4), 317(5), 111, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita had been committed, the crime was registered and taken up for investigation. During the investigation, relevant information was collected from the Samanvay portal, which revealed that a total of 104 bank accounts of Utkarsh Small Finance Bank, Raipur Branch (IFSC Code: UTKS0001400), had received deposits amounting to Rs. 36,48,448/- through cyber fraud. It was alleged that the money obtained through cyber fraud was used by the account holders/promoters. It was further found that a total amount of Rs. 36,48,448/- was deposited in the said accounts during the period from 01.01.2024 to 31.12.2024, allegedly by the holders/promoters who opened the accounts and assisted in receiving the proceeds of cyber fraud, with knowledge that the said property was obtained through dishonest and fraudulent means. The statements of witnesses were recorded, and after completion of the investigation, the charge sheet was presented before the Court of the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Raipur, District Raipur (C.G.). The present applicants were arrested on 24.01.2025 in connection with the said crime and have been in judicial custody since then. 3. Learned counsel for the applicants submits that the applicants have been falsely implicated in the case. It is further submitted that a similarly situated co-accused, namely Harmeet Singh @ Yashmit, has already been enlarged on bail by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.) No. 15006/2025 vide order dated 19.11.2025 and further the fact that similarly situated co-accused namely Om Arya has already 3 been granted bail by this Court vide order dated 27.11.2025 in MCRC No. 9388/2025. In view of the principle of parity, learned counsel prays that the applicants may also be enlarged on bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State Counsel, appearing for the State/non- applicant, submit that the charge-sheet has been 昀椀led before the competent Court and the trial is currently in progress. He further concur with the submission made on behalf of the applicants to the e昀昀ect that the principle of parity may be considered, however, he contend that the serious nature of the o昀昀ences, the ongoing investigation and the possibility of in昀氀uencing witnesses weigh against granting bail to the applicants at this stage. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case-diary. 6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, nature and gravity of allegations levelled against the applicants and the fact that a similarly situated co-accused, namely Harmeet Singh @ Yashmit, has already been enlarged on bail by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.) No. 15006/2025 vide order dated 19.11.2025 and further the fact that similarly situated co-accused namely Om Arya has already been granted bail by this Court vide order dated 27.11.2025 in MCRC No. 9388/2025 and further in the present case, charge-sheet has been 昀椀led before the competent Court therefore, without further commenting anything on merits, I am inclined to grant bail to the present applicants on parity. 7. Accordingly, the bail application of the applicants is allowed. 8. Let applicants, Deepak Patel and Vasu Patel, involved in Crime No. 44/2025, registered at Police Station : Civil Line, Raipur, District- Raipur (C.G.) for the o昀昀ence punishable under Sections 317(2), 317(4), 317(5), 111 and 3(5) of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, be released on bail on 4 their furnishing personal bond with two sureties each in the like sum to the satisfaction of the Court concerned with the following conditions:- (i) The applicants shall 昀椀le an undertaking to the e昀昀ect that they shall not seek any adjournment on the dates 昀椀xed for evidence when the witnesses are present in Court. In case of default of this condition, it shall be open for the trial court to treat it as abuse of liberty of bail and pass orders in accordance with law. (ii) The applicants shall remain present before the trial court on each date 昀椀xed, either personally or through their counsel. In case of their absence, without su昀케cient cause, the trial court may proceed against them under Section 269 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iii) In case, the applicants misuse the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure their presence, proclamation under Section 84 of BNSS. is issued and the applicants fail to appear before the court on the date 昀椀xed in such proclamation, then, the trial court shall initiate proceedings against them, in accordance with law, under Section 209 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iv) The applicants shall remain present, in person, before the trial court on the dates 昀椀xed for (i) opening of the case, (ii) framing of charge and (iii) recording of statement under Section 351 of BNSS. If in the opinion of the trial court absence of the applicants are deliberate or without su昀케cient cause, then it shall be open for the trial court to treat such default as abuse of liberty of bail and proceed against them in accordance with law. 5 9. O昀케ce is directed to send a certi昀椀ed copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Abhishek